Concerns are growing over a potential shortage of petroleum products in Sindh and Punjab as transport disruptions triggered by protests against a controversial federal canal project continue to affect fuel supply chains, Express News reported on Tuesday.

According to the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC), around 800 oil tankers have been stranded in Larkana and Sukkur due to sit-ins and road closures. The protests, led by local groups opposing the canal scheme, have blocked key routes used for the distribution of fuel.

The OCAC warned that if the situation persists, petrol and diesel shortages could hit several cities across interior Sindh and southern Punjab.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary of Sindh, the council urged authorities to immediately intervene and resolve the issue to prevent a wider crisis.

The demonstrations have already raised economic concerns, with reports suggesting that goods worth millions of dollars are at risk of spoilage due to halted transport at the Sindh-Punjab border.

Local leaders have called for peaceful protests but appealed to demonstrators to avoid causing hardship for the general public.

Last week, the federal government had decided to maintain current petroleum product prices for the next 15 days, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Finance.